Richmond Hill to charge non-residents for parking at Lake Wilcox Park starting July

Visitors from outside city will be charged $4-$5 per hour for parking at Wilcox

Yorkregion.com
June 1, 2020

No more free parking at Lake Wilcox Park for non-residents this summer.

In an effort to address the long-standing parking issues at the popular summer destination, Richmond Hill decided May 27 to charge visitors from outside the city for parking their vehicles at the park starting July.

The city is expected to implement paid parking for non-residents within the four parking lots at Wilcox while putting in place additional way-finding signage for drivers and pedestrians.

Parking on nearby residential streets will be restricted.

Lake Wilcox Park, one of Richmond Hill’s six destination parks, is known for its unique combination of beautiful waterfront scenery and family-friendly amenities.

It attracts a great number of visitors from near and far every summer which has led to parking and traffic safety issues.

There are a total of 1,512 parking spaces available at the four parking lots and on-street parking areas, according to a study presented to council May 27.

Starting this July, park users from outside the city will be charge $5 per hour for parking at the main lot, located at the park entrance off Bayview Avenue at Stouffville Road.

They will be charged $4 per hour for parking at the overflow gravel lot at the entrance off Olde Bayview Avenue, and Oak Ridges Community Centre Lots at the entrances off Bayview Avenue.

From next year onward, the parking program is expected to be in effect each year from April 1 to September 30.

All vehicles will require a valid permit while parked within the four parking lots that serve the park.

Once implemented, Richmond Hill residents will be able to obtain a free permit through parking.richmondHill.ca for the four parking lots.

Local-area residents who live on streets with restricted parking will be mailed an on-street parking permit, which allows them to park within existing parameters.

The new parking program is expected contribute to the costs associated with park safety and upkeep, a press release says.